meyers



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A. W. MEYERS.'

APPLIANGB FOR OPERATING ELEVATOR DOORS. No. 556,512. Patented Mar. l7,1896.-

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Hormiga 5N DREW RGRMAM, PHOTULUHUWASHINGTUN. D.C.

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- A. W, MBYBRS. PPLIANGE POR OPERATING ELEVATOR DOORS.

Patented Mar. 17, 1896.

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(No Model.)

A. W. MEYBRS..

APPLIANGE POR'OPERATING ELEVATOR DOORS.

Paten-ted Mar. A17, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENTA OFFICE.

AUGUSTUS 1V. MEYERS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

APPLIANCE FOR OPERATING ELEVATOR-DOORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 556,512, dated March 17, 1896.

Application filed November 3, 1894. Serial No. 527,849, (No model.)

To all, whom t may concern: n

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS W. MEYERs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Appliances for Operating Elevator-Doors, of which the following is hereby declared to be a full, clear, and eXact description, sufficient to enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same.

The invention relates to appliances employed in conjunction with elevators to automatic-ally control the shift of the well-doors at the several stages or landings at the will of the operator located in the traveling car. The design is to provide a single motor for two or more of the landing-doors, the motor being brought into or out of play as the operator may elect, while through suitable intermediate mechanism the power of the motor is exerted to move the, door at the station where the car chances to be.

The nature of the improvements will appear in detail from the description following and be more particularly pointed out by claims at the conclusion thereof.

In the drawings annexed like parts are denoted by like letters and figures throughout. Figure 1 is an elevational view at the inner face of a landing-door, nearest the motor, at the elevator-shaft with the improved mechanism for casting the door shown mounted in place. The play of the door-lever and its links is indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1, the elevator-car being displayed at the landing; Fig. 3, a View of the landing-door in transverse section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a general elevational view at the inner face of the shaft or well, showing the landing-doors and the automatic mechanism to cast the doors, the same being actuated from a single motor at the foot of the well; Fig. 5, a detail view, in longitudinal section, of the fluid-motor and its electric control-valve; Fig. G, an external view of the valve-stein, valve-case, and adjuncts in front elevation Fig. '7, a plan view of the valve-chest with the valve proper 'in place, the lid of the chest being removed;

chamber belowthe valve-chest; Fig. 10, a detail view at the landing of the rotating shifter there mounted in place. The shifter is displayed in central longitudinal section as on line 10 10 of Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a view of the shifter in transverse section on line 11 11 of Fig. 10; Fig. 12, a view of the shifter in crosssection on line l2 'l2 of Fig. 11; Fig. 13, a detail plan view of the radius-disk constituting one clutch-section of the rotating shifter.

The elevator-shaft A at the several iioor stations or landings is framed in familiar fashion to inclose the shaft openings or inlets. A sliding door B depends from its cross-rail a, as usual, to expose or close the shaft-opening.V From top to bottom of the well extends the main or line driver, which, as here shown, comprises the companion reciprocating-rod drivers b fastened at their terminals overhead and below to the ends of the rock-bars c and designed to move in unison but in reverse directions under action of the motor.

In the form exhibited the lower rock-bar, c, unites by piston stem d with an intermittently-acting motor C of familiar structure and which employs a fluid moti ve agent. The end ports of its piston-cylinder are connected by passages e e', Figs. 5, 7 and 9, with the distributing chamber D at the operatingvalve 7L for the motor control mechanism. The distributing-chamber is divided by partions, as shown in Fig. 9, and is connected at one side with the supply-pipe f and at the opposite side with the waste-pipe f. Above the chamber is the valve-chest D' and between them the diaphragm g, which has vents, as shown, to communicate with several compartments in the distributing-chamber. Mounted within the chest is the valve proper, h, having a stem t', which extends through an ordinary stufing-box and at its outer end carries an arm k, fastened to the armature Z of an electromagnet fnt. The valve 7i has depressed channel-ways n thereon, Fig. S, of dimension proper to bridge respectively between the vents 20 21 and 22 23 located in the diaphragm g. l

The motive agent proceeds by pipe f to the distributing-chamber and by proper port through diaphragm g into the valve-chest D',

from whence it escapes either by passage e or e' to the motor-cylinder according as the port IOO ` member coacting with pulley l?.

2O or 22 then stands uncovered by valve 7i.. If the parts be in position shown by Figs. 7 and 9, the supply of the motive agent will be through pipe c to the cylinder, while the exhaust from the cylinder passes through pipe e to the distributingchamber, thence by diaphragm-port 22, bridgeway n on valve h, through diaphragm-port 23 to the outlet-coinpartinent of the distributing-chamber, and so by pipe f to the waste-tank. By reversing the valve 7L the ports 2O 2l become bridged, while port 22 stands open to receive the inflow. The shift of the valve in its chest D thus compels the piston to reciprocate, and the motor thereby actuates the linedriver. Ordinarily the motor control-valve f stands at definite position because of the coil-sprin g o acting at the heel of the arm 7s fastened to valve-stein 2'.

The electric circuit with its adj uncts-e. g., switches and battery-is separate from the motor-control mechanism just described, but in the form here shown is employed to operate such control mechanism. The electromagnet m is included as apart of the electric circuit. lf the circuit be closed through said magnets m, the armature Z is attracted and the valve-stein t thereby operated a suii'icient distance to reverse the control-valve 71. Vhen the current is broken, the parts resume their original position. The make and break of the current are effected by the operator on the car at the several elevator-landings in manner presently detailed.

Upon the frame of the elevator-shaft, in convenient position near each door to be moved, is mounted a rotating shifter D2, and around the pulley p, Fig. ll, constituting a loose clutch part thereof, is wound the iiexible belt q, the ends of which pass over the guides -r and are here shown fastened, as at s, to the companion reciprocating-rod driver b.` A bracket 1", fastened to the shaft-wall, carries a hollow axle t, which is held in place by setscrews s and serves as a mount for the pulley j), turning freely thereon. Vithin the tubular axle projects the plug u, carrying radial wings rr, which bear against adjacent ends of the spring-dogsw- The dogs w move in radial ways or channels cut in the face of the disk, which has a radius-arm y extended therefrom.

Vhen the parts are in position shown by Fig. ll, pulley p turns freely to and fro upon its axle under influence of the reciprocating cross-conneetor q. In such situation the pulley is without effect upon the radius-disk y, which forms the fixed section or clutch Now if the plug u be thrust inward against the stress of coil-springe the wings u on the plug will force the` dogs w outward to engage opposite re cesses 25, Fig. l2, on the internal rim of pulley p. The radius-disk 0c and pulley p are thus interlocked as a rotating driver and can be made to move together about tubular axle t, the inner ends of dogs w riding upon the adjacent part of the axle, which thus serves to hold the dogs set in recesses 25 against the force of the springs coiled about the body of the dogs. The interlocked relation of the disk and pulley parts of the rotating driver persists until on reverse movement the dogs w come opposite the seats in axle if, occupied in part by the wings fu of stem fu.. The plug 'a then stands relaxed, so that dogs Jw are shot inward by their springs, thereby clearing the rim recesses 25 and releasing the disk .r from its connection with pulley 22.

By reference to Fig. l it is seen that the radius-arm y of disk a? is joined through link 2G to the swinging lever 27 suspended, as at 2S, to the door-frame and at its opposite terminal secured by link 29 to the door. The vibratory movement of the radius-arm y to the position shown by dotted lines, Fig. l, compels the door to slide back, thus exposing the entrance to the elevatorshaft- On reverse movement the door is closed and radiusarm y stands at a dead-point relation with pivots of link 2G, Fig. l, thus holding the door securely locked. The dead-point position of radius-arm g/ to link 2G being practically at a horizontal, it is clear that the initial shift of the door in opening and its final shift in closing are very slight and thus free from unusual jars or slams.

The interlock of pulley p with disk m and its radius-arm y as clutch parts of the rotating shifter is accomplished by means of a trip mounted upon the car, Fig. 2, and projected into the path of the bottom 30 on the end of the plug u, Fig. 1l. The trip consists, Fig. 2, of the lever 3l pivoted, as at 32, to the cai'- frame and joined by link 33 to the arm of the bell-crank lever 34C mounted within the car and having a dependent cord 35 located in easy reach of the car-operator. A tensionspring 3G bears against the bell-crank lever and serves ordinarily to retract the trip, so that its arm 3l will clear the button 30 of the plug u. lVhen the operator desires to stop at any particular landing, he throws the triplever 3l outward from the car by the dependent cord 35,so that as the landingis reached the trip contacts with clutch-button 3() and thus brings the radius-disk e y into action conjointly with its clutch companion or pulley p of the shifter.

The reciprocating play of the crosseon nector compels the shifter to turn and thereby to slide the landing-door open, at which place it remains until the car leaves the landing, whereupon the trip quickly clears the plugbutton 30 and allows the clutch parts to separate. At the several landings the Shifters are seen to move in unison under impulse from the main driver common to all of them; yet as the car-trip at any landing selects only the shifter there located for interlock action it is plain that the shifter-pulleys at the other landings run free and do not operate the doors to which they belong. Ordinarily the coilspring 36 at the back of the crank-lever 3l IOO IIO

IZO

will co-operate with the spring at the button 30 of the clutch-plug with sufficient force to withdraw the trip 34E from the path of the button when the operator releases his grasp from the hand-cord 35. By such expedient the door can be opened or closed at will while the car remains stationary at the landing and before it clears the floor for the next stoppingpoint.

The vibratory action of the shifter back and forth with the door depends upon the movement of the cross-connector q and of the reverse rods b on the line-driver, which are actuated in turn from the motor at the foot of the well. To secure unison play of the motor and of the mechanism operated thereby an electric circuit is established,'which includes the electromagnet m, Fig. 6, and extends up the elevator-shaft, the circuit being branched, as shown in Fig. 4, at each stage or landing. The terminals for the several branches are connected up with spring-points 4l, conveniently set behind the bracket 1" of the rotating shifter. The plug u is extended through axle t, Fig. ll, and carries an insulated contact-point 42,' which coactswith spring-pieces 4l and serves as a switch to open or close the electric circuit. Vhen the button 30 on plug u is pressed by trip-lever 3l, constituting suitable means projected from the traveling car for that purpose, the electric circuit is established and the motor starts into operation. Thereupon the wings u on the plug thrust the dogs w into the seats on pulley p and thus cause the radius-arm 'y to partake of the movement of said pulley as this is transmitted through the cross-connector. lVhen the car leaves the lan ding the trip withdraws from the plug-button, which breaks the electric circuit and compels the motor control-valve to return to its normal position. This induces a reverse movement of the motor, and in consequence a reverse traverse of the pulley and radius-disk :r y at the shifter. The door of the elevator-shaft slides to, and at the finish the dogs w are cast inward by their springs to wholly disengage the pulley from the radius-disk.

The plug u here shown acts in dual capacity-first, to govern the clutch mechanism, and, second, as a switch-piece in the electric circuit. These functions are quite independent, so that a separate device may be employed in lieu of the plug to open or close the circuit without impairing the action of the plug in its control of the clutch. Indeed, the door-shifting mechanism operated by the single motor can be brought into play by other means than an electric-circuit system and coacts, as appears, irrespective of the particular expedient which may be adopted to throw the motor into or out of play.

Obviously the details of structure can be varied according to the skill of the mechanic without departure of the essentials of the invention.

It is to be understood that l do not claim the combination, in an elevator, of a car, a plurality of doors to be moved, a single motor adapted to move all of said doors one at a time, (said motor being independent of the car-hoisting mechanism,) and means for controlling said motor from the car.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with the motor and its control mechanism governed by the traveling elevator car, of the main driver extended along the elevator-shaft and intermittently actuated by said motor, the cross-connector at the station operated by said main driver, the landing-door and the rotating shifter interposed between said door and cross-connector and operated by the latter to cast the door, substantially as described.

2. The combination with the motor and its control mechanism of the main driver extended along the elevator-shaft and intermittently actuated by said motor, the cross-connector at the station operated by said driver, the landing-door and the shifter interposed between said door and the cross-connector and comprising fast and loose clutch-sections controllably united and in operative connection respectively with said door and with the cross-connector, substantially as described.

3. The combination with the motor and with its control mechanism to effect the play thereof intermittently to and fro, of the companion drivers extended lengthwise of the elevatorshaft and reciprocated in unison but reversely from said motor, the cross-connector extended between said drivers, the rotating shifter at the landing or floor station, the same comprising fast and loose clutch-sections controllably united and in operative connection respectively, the fast clutch-section with the landing-door and the loose clutch-section with the cross-connector and a trip carried by the car to engage or release the shifter clutch-sections, substantially as described.

4. The combination with the reciprocating cross-connector and with the station-door, of the rotating shifter interposed between them, said shifter comprising fast and loose clutchsections controllably united and in operative connection respectively with said door and cross-connector, substantially as described.

5. The combination with the station-door and with the reciprocating cross-connector of the interposed rotating shifter at the landing comprising as sections thereof a loose wheel lactuated by said connector and a radius-disk in clutch engagement therewith and united by a link to the operating-lever for the door, substantially as described.

6. The combination with the station-door and with the reciprocating cross-connector of the interposed rotating shifter at the landing comprising as sections thereof a loose wheel actuated by said connector and a radius-disk in clutch engagement therewith and united by a link to the operating-lever for the door and a trip carried by the car to engage or re- IOO IIO

lease the shifter-sections, substantially as described.

7. The combination with the motor and its control mechanism of the main driver eX- tenlded along the elevator-shaft and intermittently actuated by said motor, the cross-connector at the station operated by said driver, the landing-door, the rotating shifter interposed between said door and the cross-connector and comprising fast and loose clutchsections united with said door and said crossconncctor respectively, an electric circuit with its devices to operate the control mechanism for the motor, a station-switch for the electric circuit at each landing and means projected from the traveling car to shift the switch, substantially as described.

S. The combination with the motor and its control mechanism of the main driver extended along the elevator-shaft and intermittently actuated by said motor, the cross-connector at the station operated by said drivel?, the landing-door, the rotating shifter interposed between said door and the cross-connector and comprising fast and loose clutchsections united with said door and said crossconnector respectively, an electriccireuit with its devices toi operate the control mechanism for the motor, a station-switch for the electric circuit at each landing, a movable plug carried by the rotating shifter and serving dual- Wise to govern its clutch-dogs and the stationiswitch and means projected from the travel- `ing car to shift said plug, substantially as dcscribed.

9. In elevators, the combination with the traveling car and with the series oi landingy doors, of the single intermittently-acting moadjuncts to operate the control mechanism,`

station-switches for the electric circuit at the several landings and means projected from the ear to throw each landing-switch separately, substantially as described.

AUGUSTUS XV. MEYERS.

Titnessesz FRED GERLACH, ALBERTA ADAMICK. 

